This Mughal Dynasty (mid-18th c.) fly whisk is on view in the MFAH’s Indian art galleries. It’s an outstanding object which alone merits a visit to the museum. The MFAH purchased it in 2009, at the time of the opening of the Indian art gallery.
The handle is a remarkable example of ivory carving, but what’s even cooler is that the “hairs” of the whisk are themselves shaved ivory. The whole thing is about 30″ long. Go see it.
2 comments
It’s amazing what you can do with dead elephants.
In the 18th century it wasn’t poaching, it was art.